Photos of Metabolic Bone Disease

 

Note:   Read our Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) article for more information about this disease. 

            

Figure 1.   Radiograph of a juvenile opossum fed a fruit-only diet.  Note the decreased bone density, especially in the limbs.  Bone should appear a lot denser (whiter) than surrounding soft tissue.  Teeth appear to be “floating” due to bone loss.

 

 

Figure 3.  Opossum with MBD. Failed to grow normally, skeletal deformities, note the deformed left forelimb. Has difficulty walking.

                                                                                                   

 

Figure 2.   Opossum fed bad diet consisting of hot dogs only for over 2 months.  He has gross facial abnormalities, severe MBD.